Plane shot down over rebel-held city in Libya

A huge explosions is seen over the outskirts of Benghazi after a plane of Gadhafi's forces was shot down over eastern Libya, Saturday, March 19, 2011. Explosions shook the Libyan city of Benghazi early on Saturday while a fighter jet was heard flying overhead, and residents said the eastern rebel stronghold was under attack from Muammar Gaddafi's forces. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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A huge explosions is seen over the outskirts of Benghazi after a plane of Gadhafi's forces was shot down over eastern Libya, Saturday, March 19, 2011. Explosions shook the Libyan city of Benghazi early on Saturday while a fighter jet was heard flying overhead, and residents said the eastern rebel stronghold was under attack from Muammar Gaddafi's forces. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
/ AP

A Libyan celebrates in the centre of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)— AP

A Libyan celebrates in the centre of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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Libyan people celebrate in the main square of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire Friday, trying to fend off international military intervention after the U.N. authorized a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to prevent the regime from striking its own people. A rebel spokesman said Moammar Gadhafi's forces were still shelling two cities. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)— AP

Libyan people celebrate in the main square of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire Friday, trying to fend off international military intervention after the U.N. authorized a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to prevent the regime from striking its own people. A rebel spokesman said Moammar Gadhafi's forces were still shelling two cities. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to foreign journalists at a hotel in in Tripoli, Friday March 18, 2011. We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters. "(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya. The U.N. Security Council voted early Thursday evening on a resolution that imposes a no-fly zone and also authorize U.N. member states to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces. In the background is a photograph of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)— AP

Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to foreign journalists at a hotel in in Tripoli, Friday March 18, 2011. We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters. "(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya. The U.N. Security Council voted early Thursday evening on a resolution that imposes a no-fly zone and also authorize U.N. member states to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces. In the background is a photograph of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to foreign journalists at a hotel in in Tripoli, Friday March 18, 2011. We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters. "(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya. The U.N. Security Council voted early Thursday evening on a resolution that imposes a no-fly zone and also authorize U.N. member states to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)— AP

Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa reads a statement to foreign journalists at a hotel in in Tripoli, Friday March 18, 2011. We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters. "(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya. The U.N. Security Council voted early Thursday evening on a resolution that imposes a no-fly zone and also authorize U.N. member states to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
/ AP

Men, who used to work in Libya and fled the unrest in the country, wait to be repatriated in a refugee camp at the Tunisia-Libyan border, in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2011. More than 250,000 migrant workers have left Libya for neighboring countries, primarily Tunisia and Egypt, in the past three weeks. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)— ASSOCIATED PRESS

Men, who used to work in Libya and fled the unrest in the country, wait to be repatriated in a refugee camp at the Tunisia-Libyan border, in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2011. More than 250,000 migrant workers have left Libya for neighboring countries, primarily Tunisia and Egypt, in the past three weeks. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, reacts to the U.N. Security Council vote imposing a no-fly zone over Libya at a press conference in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)— AP

Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, reacts to the U.N. Security Council vote imposing a no-fly zone over Libya at a press conference in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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Supporters of Muammar Qaddafi who stormed unimpaired the press conference of Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, shout slogans in the hotel where foreign media stays in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)— AP

Supporters of Muammar Qaddafi who stormed unimpaired the press conference of Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, shout slogans in the hotel where foreign media stays in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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Supporters of Muammar Qaddafi who stormed unimpaired the press conference of Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, shout slogans in the hotel where foreign media stays in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)— AP

Supporters of Muammar Qaddafi who stormed unimpaired the press conference of Khaled Kaaim, Libya's deputy foreign minister, shout slogans in the hotel where foreign media stays in Tripoli, early Friday March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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Libyan men, who live and work in Tunisia and refused to give their names, are served with champagne to celebrate the United Nations resolution, at a restaurant in Tunis, Tunisia, late Thursday, March 17, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)— AP

Libyan men, who live and work in Tunisia and refused to give their names, are served with champagne to celebrate the United Nations resolution, at a restaurant in Tunis, Tunisia, late Thursday, March 17, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
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Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, right with his Foreign Secretary William Hague leave 10 Downing St. for the House of Commons to make a statement about the UN resolution on the imposition of the Libiyan 'No Fly Zone', in London, Friday, March, 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council on Thursday approved a resolution backed by the U.S., Britain and France, authorizing the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians under attack by government forces in Libya.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)— AP

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, right with his Foreign Secretary William Hague leave 10 Downing St. for the House of Commons to make a statement about the UN resolution on the imposition of the Libiyan 'No Fly Zone', in London, Friday, March, 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council on Thursday approved a resolution backed by the U.S., Britain and France, authorizing the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians under attack by government forces in Libya.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Men, who used to work in Libya and fled the unrest in the country, wait to be repatriated in a refugee camp at the Tunisia-Libyan border, in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2011. More than 250,000 migrant workers have left Libya for neighboring countries, primarily Tunisia and Egypt, in the past three weeks. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)— ASSOCIATED PRESS

Men, who used to work in Libya and fled the unrest in the country, wait to be repatriated in a refugee camp at the Tunisia-Libyan border, in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, Friday, March 18, 2011. More than 250,000 migrant workers have left Libya for neighboring countries, primarily Tunisia and Egypt, in the past three weeks. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri a British military base near souther port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Friday, March 18, 2011. Britain will send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets to air bases "in the coming hours" to prevent Moammar Gadhafi's forces from mounting air strikes against anti-government rebels in Libya, Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday. The promise of action came after the U.N. Security Council approved a no-fly zone Thursday over Libya, the legal requirement paving the way for military action. Libya responded to the diplomatic onslaught by declaring an immediate cease-fire, firmly pushing the ball back to the allies. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)— AP

Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri a British military base near souther port city of Limassol, Cyprus, Friday, March 18, 2011. Britain will send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets to air bases "in the coming hours" to prevent Moammar Gadhafi's forces from mounting air strikes against anti-government rebels in Libya, Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday. The promise of action came after the U.N. Security Council approved a no-fly zone Thursday over Libya, the legal requirement paving the way for military action. Libya responded to the diplomatic onslaught by declaring an immediate cease-fire, firmly pushing the ball back to the allies. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
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A captured dead Libyan government fighter is brought by the rebels to the center of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire Friday, trying to fend off international military intervention after the U.N. authorized a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to prevent the regime from striking its own people. A rebel spokesman said Moammar Gadhafi's forces were still shelling two cities.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)— AP

A captured dead Libyan government fighter is brought by the rebels to the center of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. Libya declared an immediate cease-fire Friday, trying to fend off international military intervention after the U.N. authorized a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to prevent the regime from striking its own people. A rebel spokesman said Moammar Gadhafi's forces were still shelling two cities.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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A the body of a Libyan government fighter is brought by the Libyan rebels to the center of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)— AP

A the body of a Libyan government fighter is brought by the Libyan rebels to the center of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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In this image taken from RTP Portugal TV, filmed in Tripoli, Libya, Thursday March 17, 2011, showing Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, during an interview as he comments on the prospects of a United Nations resolution against Libyan government forces. The interview made available Friday March 18, was filmed Thursday before the United Nations voted to authorize the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians under attack by government forces in Libya. (AP Photo/RTP Portugal TV) TV OUT - PORTUGAL OUT - Mandatory credit RTP TV— AP

In this image taken from RTP Portugal TV, filmed in Tripoli, Libya, Thursday March 17, 2011, showing Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, during an interview as he comments on the prospects of a United Nations resolution against Libyan government forces. The interview made available Friday March 18, was filmed Thursday before the United Nations voted to authorize the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians under attack by government forces in Libya. (AP Photo/RTP Portugal TV) TV OUT - PORTUGAL OUT - Mandatory credit RTP TV
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Two Royal Air Force Tornados , one of the types of aircraft to be used in the operation of a no-fly zone over Libya, fly over the Lossiemouth air base at Moray, Scotland, Friday March 18, 2011, during an exercise. Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament that preparations to deploy the aircraft were already under way and they would begin moving out to air bases in the Mediterranean region "in the coming hours".(AP Photo/Andrew Milligan-pa) UNITED KINGDOM OUT: NO SALES: NO ARCHIVE:— AP

Two Royal Air Force Tornados , one of the types of aircraft to be used in the operation of a no-fly zone over Libya, fly over the Lossiemouth air base at Moray, Scotland, Friday March 18, 2011, during an exercise. Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament that preparations to deploy the aircraft were already under way and they would begin moving out to air bases in the Mediterranean region "in the coming hours".(AP Photo/Andrew Milligan-pa) UNITED KINGDOM OUT: NO SALES: NO ARCHIVE:
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Libyans celebrate in the main square of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)— AP

Libyans celebrate in the main square of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, March 18, 2011. The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
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BENGHAZI, Libya 
Libyan rebels shot down a warplane that was bombing their eastern stronghold Saturday as the opposition accused Moammar Gadhafi's government of defying a cease-fire.

The fighting comes as leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the United States and other Western powers hold urgent talks in Paris Saturday over possible military action against Gadhafi's forces.

An Associated Press reporter saw a plane go down in flames outside Benghazi early Saturday, sending up a black cloud of smoke after the city came under attack. The sound of artillery and crackling gunfire was heard in the distance.

Trying to outmaneuver Western military intervention, Gadhafi's government declared a cease-fire on Friday as the rebel uprising faltered against his artillery, tanks and warplanes. But the opposition said shells rained down well after the announcement and accused the Libyan leader of lying.

On Saturday, government spokesman Ibrahim Musa denied that a government plane had gone down. He also denied government forces shelled any Libyan towns on Saturday, saying the rebels are the ones breaking the cease fire by attacking military forces.

"Our armed forces continue to retreat and hide, but the rebels keep shelling us and provoking us," Musa told The Associated Press.

Wary of the cease-fire, Britain and France took the lead in plans to enforce a no-fly zone, sending British warplanes to the Mediterranean and announcing a crisis summit in Paris with the U.N. and Arab allies. In Washington, President Barack Obama ruled out the use of American ground troops but warned that the U.S., which has an array of naval and air forces in the region, would join in military action.

There should be no doubt about the Libyan leader's intentions "because he has made them clear," Obama said. "Just yesterday, speaking of the city of Benghazi, a city of roughly 700,000, he threatened 'we will have no mercy and no pity.' No mercy on his own citizens."

In a joint statement to Gadhafi late Friday, the United States, Britain and France - backed by unspecified Arab countries - said a cease-fire must begin "immediately" in Libya, the French presidential palace said.

The statement called on Gadhafi to end his troops' advance toward Benghazi, the rebel headquarters, and pull them out of the cities of Misrata, Ajdabiya and Zawiya, and called for the restoration of water, electricity and gas services in all areas. It said Libyans must be able to receive humanitarian aid or the "international community will make him suffer the consequences" with military action.

Parts of eastern Libya, where the once-confident rebels this week found their hold slipping, erupted into celebration at the passage of the U.N. resolution. But the timing and consequences of any international military action remained unclear.

Misrata, Libya's third-largest city and the last held by rebels in the west, came under sustained assault well after the cease-fire announcement, according to rebels and a doctor there. The doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared reprisals, said Gadhafi's snipers were on rooftops and his forces were searching homes for rebels.